We are pleased to introduce Pepper C1 Lite, the newest addition to our Pepper family. It is designed for projects that need the RFID/NFC capabilities of Pepper C1 but prefer a wired architecture without Wi-Fi or 2.4 GHz WPAN hardware.
At its heart are an STM32 MCU and a high-performance RFID frontend. The result is a 13.56 MHz reader and writer that keeps the core RFID functionality of the original Pepper C1 while offering USB/UART, RS232 and RS485 connectivity options.
Why Pepper C1 Lite?
Not every installation needs wireless communication. Some teams standardise on STM32; others have policies that exclude wireless-capable processors or simply want a reader that connects directly to their host system. Pepper C1 Lite was developed for those requirements without giving up the flexible tag handling and automation features of the Pepper platform.
Key capabilities
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Pepper C1 Lite operates at 13.56 MHz and supports both reading and writing with compatible transponders. Its STM32 MCU and high-performance RFID frontend provide a capable platform for RFID integration, while USB/UART, RS232 and RS485 connectivity options support a range of wired installations. The USB interface can work as a virtual serial port or emulate a HID keyboard, allowing a detected tag UID to be entered into applications as keyboard input.
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Use the reader under host control or configure standalone polling for automatic tag detection. Depending on the setup, polling can compare a tag UID with an internally stored list, read selected tag memory, and trigger a response. Six configurable GPIOs and an RGB LED provide further ways to connect RFID events to the surrounding system. Polling output can be configured as binary, plain text or JSON.The Cx-Client for Windows supports configuration and testing. Firmware updates are available through a wired interface.
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Supported tag families
Pepper C1 Lite supports ISO/IEC 14443A and ISO/IEC 15693 technologies, including MIFARE Classic, MIFARE Ultralight, NTAG, MIFARE DESFire EV1/EV2, MIFARE Plus and ICODE families.
Pepper C1 Lite or Pepper C1?
Choose Pepper C1 Lite when wired communication and a dedicated non-wireless architecture fit your project. If you need wireless connectivity or network services, the original [Pepper C1](https://eccel.co.uk/product/pepper-c1-usb/) remains available. Both readers share the core Pepper C1 RFID/NFC capabilities; the key difference is their processing and communication architecture.
Pepper C1 Lite is a practical fit for access control, identification, equipment integration and other applications where a configurable 13.56 MHz reader must communicate over a wired link.
Explore Pepper C1 Lite, its connection options and documentation.
Ready to bring RFID into your production?
Contact our team for a free consultation. We’ll recommend the right tags, readers, and integration approach for your operation.
